"It's just amazing to realise after many many years of dreams and hard work that it's ready and people are using the pool and that's the exciting part for the fun days we are having," he said,"and many people I trust will come and check it out in the holidays up shortly."

The State and Federal Governments chipped in a combined $11 million and ratepayers $15 million for the facility, which was built on the old Windmill Hill pool site.

With a 600-seat grandstand and two diving boards, the centre will be suitable for a range of swimming and diving competitions.

"It's just been very well put together and my hat goes off to those in the design because they've done a fantastic job and I'm sure many are going to really enjoy it and are going to be amazed," said Mr Van Zatten.

"And it's not just for Launceston, it's for the region and I believe there's going to be many people from Devonport and up the coast and from the north-east that will be coming."

Local politicians, council members and special guests took a sneak peak at the centre this evening, at a special gala opening event.

It's a fundamental human yearning to be a part of something bigger than one's self, and maybe that's what drove my mate Ash to die, far from home, in a bloody foreign war against Islamic State, writes C August Elliott.